Device for applying lubricant to tampons



July 22, 1969 w. J. MATTES ETAL 3,456,851 I DEVICE FOR APPLYING LUBRICANT TO TAMPONS 1 Filed April 24, 1968 United States Patent 3,456,851 DEVICE FOR APPLYING LUBRICANT TO TAMPONS William J. Mattes and Robert F. Skora, Neenah, Wis., as-

signors to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 24, 1968, Ser. No. 723,796 Int. Cl. B67d /06; B65d 83/00, 83/06 U.S. Cl. 222205 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispensing cap for a can of pressurized lubricant material especially adapted to apply lubricant to the leading end of an absorbent tampon. The cap is provided with a vertically movable interior shell forming a cup with an axially disposed aperture in its bottom wall. When the end of a tampon is inserted into the cup and pressed downward, the shell moves downward to activate the valve of the pressurized can, releasing lubricant into the bottom of the cup. The tampon is then rotated in the cup, spreading the lubricant circumferentially on the surface of the tampons leading end.

Background of the invention Ease of insertion is one of the most important properties desired for tampon devices. The most common method to improve this property has been to provide the tip of the tampon with some sort of pre-applied lubricant, such as water-soluble coatings or films. However, difficulties have been encountered in pre-applying a coating of such material to the tampon and in keeping the coating in suitable condition to enable it to perform its intended function at the time of insertion. While pre-applied insertion aids do improve ease of insertion, it has been found that when a lubricant is applied to the tampon immediately prior to insertion, the lubricity function is much more efficient than that of precoated tampons. Further, such an application appears to interfere less with the important absorbent properties of the tampon. Lubricants for-this purpose are now applied from squeeze tubes, pressurized cans, or by direct digital application. However, none of these methods provide as neat and hygienic an operation as is desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved means for applying lubricant to a tampon.

It is another object to provide a dispensing cap device for a can of pressurized lubricant which device is especially adapted for applying lubricant to tampons.

Summary of the invention This invention comprises a dispensing cap device which fits over the dispensing end of a can of pressurized lubricant material. The device is provided with an internal cup-like member adapted for vertical movement within the outer cap structure. A central aperture in the lower wall of the cup-like member admits lubricant from a cooperating, axially projecting dispensing tube of the pressure can when the tube is depressed by vertical movement of the cup-like member. To apply lubricant to a tampon, the end of the tampon is inserted into the cup, and pressed downward, this opens a conventional valve in the can, admitting lubricant into the bottom of the cup through the axial aperture therein. Pressure on the tampon is released after a desired amount of lubricant is ex ressed into the cup, and the tampon is then rotated in the cup to spread an even amount of lubricant onto the peripheral surface of the tampons forward end. A protective lid is used to cover the inner cup-like member to protect the cup from dust and dirt when the device is not in use.

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Other features, objects and advantages of the device will become apparent by reference to the followmg specification and accompanying drawing.

Brief description of the drawing can with the dispenser cap in place and having its lid open readyto receive a tampon for the lubricant applying operation.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a tampon on which lubricant has been applied by utilizing the device of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1, or FIG. 2.

Description of the preferred embodiment In FIG. 1, there is shown a can 12 containing a pressurized lubricant such as water-soluble surgical gel, or the like. The pressurized can is provided with a top closure having an annular bead 13. Axially disposed in said closure is a conventional discharge tube 14 which when depressed activates a suitable spring-biased valve within said closure to discharge lubricant through the tube.

The dispensing cap device 15 fits onto annular bead 13 of can 12, and is held in place by a projecting lip 16, or the like, on the lower inner wall portion of the cap. The :cap device is comprised of a circular outer member 17, a fiat cover member 18, and an inner shell-like member 19. Inner member 19 is disposed for vertically slidable movement within outer member 17. Cover member 18 may be hingedly connected to outer member 17, as shown, or attached thereto by a conventional snap fit. The bottom wall of inner member 19 is provided with an axially disposed central aperture 20 which is in communication with the inside of cylindrical cup 21 forming the inner portion of said shell. Aperture 20 is also in communication with, and centrally disposed with respect to socket 22, which fits over discharge tube 14. The inner surface of the bottom wall of cup 21 is provided with spaced, radially extending channels 23 in communication with axial aperture 20 and an annular channel 24.

The outer wall of inner member 19 is provided with projecting tabs 25 which are disposed for slidable engagement in vertical grooves 25 disposed in the inner wall of outer member 17. The tabs and grooves serve to keep the inner member properly seated and retained within the cap device, and also serve to prevent inadvertent rotation of the inner member when lubricant is spread on the tampon. Two diametrically opposed tabs and grooves are adequate for the intended purpose, but additional ones may be used. Other suitable means for movably attaching the inner member 19 to outer member 17 may also be used.

.In FIG. 2, there is shown a compressed cylindrical tampon body 30 with a conventional withdrawal string 31 and insertion stick 32. The tampon is shown poised above the cap device, ready for insertion therein. After the tampon is inserted in cap device 15, additional downward pressure is applied on the tampon in the direction indicated by arrow 33. This opens the valve in pressure can 12 and causes lubricant to be discharged from pressure can 12 into the interior of cup 21 (FIG. 1). Downward pressure on the tampon is then released, following which the tampon is rotated, as shown by arrow 34, causing the lubricant in cup 21 to be spread peripherally on the surface of the tampons leading end.

In FIG. 3, the tampon is shown ready for insertion with an even coat of lubricant 35 spread on its leading end. i

It will be seen that the lubricant may be applied to the tampon without having the hands of the user touch either the lubricant or the tampon body, thus providing a convenient and tidy means of application. The cover 18 for the device is kept closed when not in use to protect the inner cup from dust and dirt, maintaining the device and its contents in a sanitary and hygienic condition.

While the device of this invention as shown, is particularly adapted for applying lubricant to stick-type tampons in which the compressed tampon has a rounded nose portion, it is equally effective for applying lubricant to stick type tampons of other configurations, as well as to tube-confined tampons. In the latter case, however, it is preferred that annular channel 24 be omitted from the bottom wall of the cup, with radial channels 23 extending all the way to the inner side wall of the cup. This modification allows for better distribution of the lubricant as well as more uniform application of lubricant to the tube surfaces.

In the drawings, the cap device is shown as being made from plastic. Polyethylene and polypropylene are both excellent for this purpose. Other plastics can, of course, be used, as well as metal.

If polypropylene is used, the inner member may be flexibly attached to the outer member by a thin bar which will permit vertical movement and also allow the entire device to be cast as one piece.

The cover is shown as hinged to the outer member, but a snap fit may also be used.

Various configurations for the cap device other than the cylindrical style shown in the drawings may also be used, such as a truncated cone, or a rectangular outer body and cylindrical inner shell, etc.

Various known lubricants, both medicated and plain, are suitable for use in the pressure can. Preferred are water-soluble types such as surgical gel, in order to minimize adverse effects on absorbency of the tampon body.

It is understood that the invention is not limited specifically to the preferred embodiments set forth above, and that suitable changes, modifications, and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing cap device for a pressurized can of lubricant material particularly adapted for applying lubricant to the tip of an absorbent tampon; said can being of the type which includes an axially disposed dispensing tube projecting through the top closure of the can, with said tube having a central discharge opening therein controlled by a depressible valve disposed within the can, the top closure of the can having an annular head for seating said cap; said cap comprising a hollow outer member, a cover for said outer member, and an inner member disposed within said outer member in vertically slidable relationship therewith; the lower portion of said outer member being provided with means to engage and hold said cap on said bead; said inner member being a shelllike structure having formed therein a cylindrical cup of a size adapted to receive the end of a tampon body; the bottom wall of said cup being penetrated by an axiallyextending aperture; the upper surface of said bottom wall having spaced grooves extending radially outward from said aperture; the lower surface of said bottom wall having an axially disposed socket in which said aperture is centered and which is adapted to engage said dispensing tube; and means to permit vertical movement of said inner member within said outer memebr while restricting rotational movement.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said means comprise at least a pair of diametrically opposed projecting tabs on the outer wall of said shell and short vertical grooves on the inner surface of said outer member for slidable engagement with said tabs.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the inner surface of said bottom wall has an annular groove in communication with said radial grooves.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said cover is hinged to said outer member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner N. L. STACK, 1a., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 222402.13 r 

